Our History
The Historic Vierling
The Historic Vierling Restaurant has been a focal point in downtown Marquette for over 140 years.
The building was erected in 1883 by Martin Vierling, who owned and operated a respectable “gentlemen’s saloon.”
Decorated with his extensive art collection, The Vierling included a “Sample Room”, a necessity in those day for any establishment wishing to cater to female clientele.
By having a separate room from the saloon area, women who were escorted in and out could enjoy a meal.
The Vierling prospered until 1917 when prohibition closed its doors. Following that a variety of other businesses and proprietors operated from this location, but it has remained a place to meet, talk business, relax, and celebrate.
On January 1, 1985, the café was purchased by Kristi and Terry Doyle. After nine months of restoration, they reopened as the Historic Vierling Saloon & Sample Room, complete with original stained glass and oil paintings from Martin Vierling’s own collection. A full renovation took place with close attention to historic detail, including the placement of a one-hundred-year-old oak bar and large windows overlooking the lower harbor making one of the best views in town!
In December of 1995, The Vierling became one of Michigan’s first brew pubs with the addition of a five-barrel micro-brewing system. The brew equipment, direct from Budapest, Hungary is configured to produce some of the finest ales and lagers in 155-gallon hand-crafted batches. The relatively small sized batches of beer ensure a fast product turn-over which enables the Vierling to serve the freshest beer possible with a multitude of varieties.
The Historic Vierling Restaurant changed hands during the summer of 2023. The new owners have been a part of the legacy of The Vierling for decades. Derek Anderson, affectionately known as ‘Chumly’, began as a chef here in 1987 before transitioning to our full-time and only brewer since 1995. Our executive chef, Joey Gleason, has been an integral part of the Vierling team since 2005. While ownership has changed hands, The Vierling will continue to execute the standard our patrons have come to expect and enjoy.
Dine In or Take Out
We have worked to package our meals in a way that lets you bring the quality of our meals into your home. We always love to see you in person, but even when we can't we ensure that your dining experience is top notch! Take out may be unavailable due to in-house orders, but we will do our best to accommodate!
Seasonal and Local
We refuse to compromise on quality in our restaurant. That's why we source our fresh ingredients from local fisheries. No matter what time of year, you can be sure you're eating the best of the season!